How Much Does an Executor Get Paid in Georgia?

Yes. Executors in Georgia can waive their fee entirely or accept a reduced amount. Family members serving as executor often waive compensation, particularly when they are also beneficiaries of the estate. Waiving the fee reduces the overall cost of probate and increases the amount available for distribution to beneficiaries.

In Georgia, co-executors divide one commission — the estate's total does not increase with the number of executors. The division is by agreement among the executors or as the court directs.O.C.G.A. § 53-6-60(d)Verified Jul 25, 2026

Georgia requires executors to post a surety bond.O.C.G.A. § 53-6-50(a),(c) ("any person who seeks to qualify to serve as the personal representative of an intestate estate or as a temporary administrator shall be required to give bond"; such a PR "may be relieved from the requirement for giving bond by the unanimous consent of the heirs of the estate") (Verified 2026-07-14); § 53-6-53 (PR qualified to serve without bond may still be ordered to give bond on a showing of mismanagement) (Verified 2026-07-14)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The bond requirement can be waived in the will or by court order. The typical annual bond premium is approximately 0.5% of the estate value. The bond protects beneficiaries against executor misconduct or mismanagement.

An executor in Georgia is responsible for filing the will with the probate court, inventorying assets, notifying creditors, paying debts and taxes, and distributing remaining assets to beneficiaries.O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239 (bank deposit affidavit), § 53-2-40 (no administration necessary), § 53-5-15/§ 53-5-16 (common/solemn form probate), § 53-6-50 (bond), § 53-6-53 (bond on mismanagement), § 53-6-60 (executor commission), § 53-7-1(b)/§ 53-7-33/§ 53-7-69 (unsupervised administration), § 53-7-6 (attorney fees), § 53-7-41 (creditor claims/publication)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The process typically takes 6-9 months for simple estates and 9-12 months on average. The 3-month creditor claim period sets a minimum timeline. The Georgia estate settlement plan outlines each step.

Executor fees and attorney fees are separate costs in Georgia probate. Attorney fees are based on reasonable compensation.O.C.G.A. § 53-7-6(4) (PR authorized "to provide competent legal counsel for the estate...either the personal representative or the attorney employed may, by petition to the probate court...obtain a judgment fixing the attorney's fees and expenses"; no statutory percentage) (Verified 2026-07-14)Verified Jul 14, 2026 Executor compensation is calculated separately from attorney fees. Both fees are paid from the estate before distribution to beneficiaries. To estimate the attorney fee, use the Georgia probate attorney fee calculator.

Total probate costs in Georgia include executor fees, attorney fees, court filing fees, publication costs, and potentially bond premiums. Executor compensation is one component of the overall expense. On a $500,000 estate, the total runs about $41,248 — roughly 8% of estate value — depending on complexity.O.C.G.A. § 7-1-239 (bank deposit affidavit), § 53-2-40 (no administration necessary), § 53-5-15/§ 53-5-16 (common/solemn form probate), § 53-6-50 (bond), § 53-6-53 (bond on mismanagement), § 53-6-60 (executor commission), § 53-7-1(b)/§ 53-7-33/§ 53-7-69 (unsupervised administration), § 53-7-6 (attorney fees), § 53-7-41 (creditor claims/publication)Verified Jul 14, 2026 Use the Georgia probate calculator for a complete cost estimate.

The Georgia statutory schedule for executor compensation is: 5% on amounts above $0.O.C.G.A. § 53-6-60(b)(1)-(4) ("Two and one-half percent commission on all sums of money received by the personal representative on account of the estate...and 2 1/2 percent commission on all sums paid out"; "Ten percent commission on the amount of interest made"; up to 3% of appraised value for delivery of property in kind; up to 10% of annual income for working land) (Verified 2026-07-14)Verified Jul 14, 2026 The fee applies to the gross value of the probate estate. Extraordinary services may warrant additional compensation as approved by the court.